A call for demonstrations across the Muslim world on Friday in support of the Palestinians has raised security concerns among Canadian Jewish groups.
The remarks came from Khalid Meshaal, the former leader of Hamas, which carried out the surprise weekend attack on Israel that shocked the Middle East and the world.
Tel Aviv has responded with relentless airstrikes against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and Israeli officials have suggested a ground attack is imminent and could further escalate the conflict.
The attack by Hamas, listed as a terrorist organization in countries such as Canada and the United States, led to worldwide demonstrations by both pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrators. But Meshaal’s call includes asking neighboring countries to join the fight against Israel, raising security concerns in Canada.
“We ask the community to exercise a healthy dose of vigilance and increased situational awareness,” the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto said in a statement. security update Wednesday.
“Jewish organizations must take special care to ensure that all security protocols are followed, particularly regarding access controls and doors that must remain locked.”
Meshaal, who is currently head of Hamas’s diaspora office and is based in Qatar, made the call for protests in a recorded statement sent to Reuters on Wednesday.
“We must take to the squares and streets of the Arab and Muslim world on Friday,” he said, adding that the governments and peoples of Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Egypt have a great obligation to support the Palestinians.
“My tribes of Jordan, my sons of Jordan, my brothers and sisters of Jordan…this is a critical moment, the border is at hand, and you know your responsibility,” Meshaal said. .
Jordan, to the east of Israel, and Lebanon to the north are home to the largest numbers of Palestinian refugees.
“To all the scholars who teach jihad…to all those who teach and learn, now is the time to apply (the theory),” Meshaal said.
His rally call came as Israel vowed to step up its response to Hamas with ground strikes after Israeli warplanes and airstrikes hit more than 200 targets in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday night. Ta.
At least 1,354 people were killed in Gaza, according to Gazan authorities. Israel says hundreds of people killed in the Gaza Strip are members of Hamas. In Tel Aviv, approximately 1,200 casualties are expected, including 189 soldiers.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to “crush Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007,” after Hamas militants stormed into Israel on Saturday and massacred hundreds of people in their homes, on the streets and at an outdoor music festival. “I will destroy it,” he vowed.
Israel mobilized 360,000 reservists, assembled additional troops near the region, and evacuated tens of thousands of residents from nearby areas.
Hamas, which said Israel had kidnapped more than 150 people in raids over the weekend, has warned that it will kill one of its hostages every time Israeli forces bomb a civilian target in the Gaza Strip without warning.
Protests spark unrest
Meshaal’s call for protests has raised concerns among Canadian Jewish groups. Multiple demonstrations in support of Palestinians broke out across the country over the Thanksgiving long weekend, raising concerns from prime ministers, mayors and law enforcement officials about how to respond to demonstrations of support for Hamas.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also expressed regret at a solidarity rally with Israel on Monday.
“Let me be clear: Hamas terrorists are not resistance. They are not freedom fighters,” he said. “They are terrorists and no one in Canada should support them, much less celebrate them.”
In response to Meshaal’s call to protest, the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto announced Wednesday that it would seek guidance from law enforcement partners in Toronto and neighboring York Region. It said there was no specific threat to the Jewish community in the Greater Toronto Area, but that any information of concern would be monitored and shared with police.
Toronto Police Service (TPS) Chief Myron Demkiw told reporters Thursday that his force has increased patrols in Jewish communities, as well as cultural centres, synagogues, mosques, schools and other places of worship across the city. He said he is doing so.
When contacted by Global News on Thursday, a spokesperson for the Toronto District School Board deferred a similar TPS statement issued on Wednesday.
“Violence and hateful acts will not be tolerated in our city,” Demkiw said.
in a Facebook post On Wednesday, the Center for Israeli and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) said Meshaal’s calls were “intended to disrupt daily life and cause extreme fear, whether or not they cause an incident.”
“CIJA is in contact with law enforcement agencies across the country to ensure the safety and security of Canada’s Jewish community.”
“We urge everyone to be extra vigilant.”
Richard Robertson, research manager for B’nai Brith Canada, told Global News in a statement that they are working with Canadian law enforcement to ensure the safety and security of the community.
“There is no room for hatred in Canada. Since the beginning of their barbaric onslaught, Hamas has proven itself to be a terrorist organization that only knows how to operate in the most hateful and grotesque ways. Their distortions “This ideology lacks humanism and corrodes democratic values,” he said.
“Those Canadians who respond to Friday’s call to action and support Hamas, a designated terrorist organization in this country, are engaging in acts that undermine the sanctity of our country.”
Ottawa police said Thursday they have no reliable information about a threat in the city.
“Our intelligence and investigative units continue to work with federal and state police and security partners to monitor the situation on the ground. We have no reliable intelligence regarding threats on the ground, but we remain vigilant.” Stated.
“We are increasing police patrols and presence in areas of cultural and religious significance and will continue to maintain open lines of communication with community leaders.”
Calgary police said in a statement that while demonstrations are possible in the city, there is no immediate threat to the public.
“At all major planned events and demonstrations, it is standard practice for police to monitor the event, manage public safety, maintain public order and respond to any calls for assistance accordingly.” the ministry said.
In a statement to Global News, an RCMP spokesperson said the force is aware that posts with threats against the Jewish community are circulating on social media.
“The RCMP has strong relationships with Canada’s security and intelligence communities and law enforcement agencies around the world. And in particular, the Five Eyes respond to any threats to national security and maintain situational awareness. “We are working closely with our partners,” they said.
“This is a time for increased vigilance. We will not tolerate any form of intimidation, harassment or harmful targeting of Canadian communities or individuals. We do not tolerate any form of intimidation, harassment or harmful targeting of Canadian communities or individuals. If you feel this, please call your local police.”
— With files from The Associated Press and Reuters
